Underbrush consists of low growing shrubs, bushes, wild grass and weeds. Out of control underbrush may cause brush fires or weeds and unwanted shrubs taking the place of plants you'd like to grow. Using underbrush management techniques may decrease the risk of brush fire and increase the productivity of pasture, grass and your choice of flowers.

Steps

Method1

Determine Underbrush Management Methods

1

Clear undergrowth yourself if you have a small area to clean. This may take some time and requires hard physical labor.

2

Hire a contractor that specializes in underbrush management if you have a lot of undergrowth or land. This may be expensive, but after the contractor clears the bulk of the undergrowth, you can manage the upkeep yourself.

3

Use goats to clean up underbrush. Goats eat brush, weeds, poison oak and other undergrowth. However, goats need to be fenced in and require maintenance.

Method2

Hire an Expert

1

Look in your phone book under landscaping, gardening, or yard work to locate an underbrush management expert.

2

Search for "underbrush control," or "clearing underbrush" online to find a contractor in your area.

Run a heavy-duty lawnmower or pull a brush hog behind a tractor in open areas. Underbrush management includes lawns and pasture areas.

A brush hog is a tractor appliance that is used for clearing underbrush in pastures.

Lawnmowers and brush hogs may prevent unwanted weeds from flowering and spreading.

Method4

Dispose of Yard Waste

1

Stack the cut brush in piles. When you clean up undergrowth, you will need to get rid of the discarded underbrush.

2

Burn the cut undergrowth. If you decide to burn your underbrush, be sure to check with your local fire department or natural resources department to see if you require a burn permit. Always follow proper fire safety procedures.

3

Bury yard waste after clearing underbrush. If you aren't able to burn yard waste, you can bury it, bring it to the dump, or start a mulch pile.

Method5

Clean Up Undergrowth with Goats

1

Prepare fencing. Goats are a natural method of underbrush management, but they may wander for miles if they aren't fenced in.

Install fence posts with a fence post slammer.

Run a high-powered solar or electric mesh fence to contain goats. Goats can get underneath barbed wire, and electric mesh fencing will keep them where you want them.

2

Use 3 to 5 goats per acre to clean up underbrush. Goats can eat vegetation between rocks and on steep cliffs and embankments that you can't access yourself, and will eat unwanted undergrowth consistently. Keep them in 1 area until it is cleared, and then move them to the next location.

3

Provide goats with water and health care, such as wormer. When goats are clearing undergrowth, they will need fresh water and may acquire worms.

4

Use a herd dog or llama to guard the goats and protect them from predators, such as coyotes. When cleaning undergrowth with goats, you don't want your goats being attacked by other animals.